Both JBL and Yamaha have produced excellent sonic equipment throughout the years, but which is better? In this speaker battle between JBL LSR308 vs Yamaha HS8, we’ll see which brand surpasses the other. Our experts have tested and analyzed the components of these two speakers and have put together a guide to help you choose one that has more worth for your money.
JBL LSR308 or Yamaha HS8?
8" speaker (LSR308)
- Great depth and ambience
- Image Control Waveguide
- Expansive soundstage
- JBL’s Patented Slip Stream
Studio Monitor
- Low distortion sound
- Seamless sonic transitions
- Bi-amp design
- Low resonance enclosure design
Features of JBL LSR308 and Yamaha HS8
Design and Size
The speakers are both rectangular and of a similar size, but the JBL LSR308 is smaller and more lightweight than the Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitors measuring in at 16.5″ x 10″ x 12.1″. The Yamaha Studio Monitor comes in at 15.4″ x 9.8″ x 13.1″. However, because the difference isn’t staggering, our experts wouldn’t choose the JBL based on the 16.5″ x 10″ x 12.1″ size alone.
The Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitor (15.4″ x 9.8″ x 13.1″) is actually more versatile and comes in a version that is wall mountable. The Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitors come in 2 different colors so you can easily match the speaker pair with your surroundings. You might like the glossy exterior the JBL LSR308 features, but our team prefers the matte design of the HS8 Studio Monitors.
Sound Quality of JBL LSR308 and Yamaha HS8
The sound quality encompasses the high or low frequency response and the impedance of speakers to name a few, but we’ll go into that a bit later. Our experts will sum up the sound quality you can expect from each design in this section.
The Yamaha HS8 is a bi-amplification speaker that is known for great bass. For people who want reverberating bass, then the Yamaha speaker is the one you should be listening with. The HS8 is a 2-way speaker that has a tweeter for the high frequency and a low frequency driver. Because the bass is so powerful with this model, they make a great addition for your home studio audio.
The HS8 Studio Monitor also has a wider frequency response than the JBL LSR 308, which is a huge bonus because it can create more accurate audio. The JBL LSR 308 is also a bi-amplification system and the tweeter is equipped with a waveguide design that will create a better soundstage.
The JBL LSR308 speaker comes with the LSR Linear Spatial Reference Design, which allows the speaker to optimize the sound in any room. Aside from this, you will also get a more dynamic sound spectrum from the LSR308 thanks to the increased HF detail.
The JBL LSR308 also has a class D amplifier built-in so there is no need for an external one. Lastly, the JBL speaker has their patented Slip Stream low frequency response port design, which is responsible for deep bass.
The Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitors have newly developed transducers that allow transition from low end to high end notes even smoother than before. The amplifier within the HS8 Studio Monitors is perfectly compatible with the transducer to make high resolution sounds. This speaker also features state-of-the-art noise reduction technology that creates clearer sounds than the LSR308.
When comparing the two, our experts decided to award this category to the Yamaha HS8 due to the wider frequency and better bass reflex.
Power
The Yamaha HS8 is the more powerful speaker with a power rating of 120 watts while the LSR308 is a bit under that coming in at 112 watts. This figure is the peak power for both the HS8 and the LSR308.
Frequency Response
The low frequency and the high frequency rating for a speaker is the frequency range. The wider this range is, the more audio notes the speakers can produce. Ideally for the most accurate portrayal of your content, you want the frequency range to be as wide as possible.
In the LSR308 VS Yamaha HS8 debate, the JBL LSR 308 has a frequency response of 37 Hz to 24 kHz and the HS8’s low frequency and high frequency response rating is from 38 Hz to 30 kHz. As you can see, there is quite a difference between the two.
Driver
Next, we’re going to take a look at the drivers, which are responsible for producing the quality of sound you’re looking for. The drivers in the LSR308 are made up of a cone woofer and a soft-dome tweeter. We also see the same in the HS8. The difference between the two in terms of the driver is the power output for each.
The LSR 308 produces 56 watts from each driver while the HS8 features 45 watts for the high frequency and an impressive 75 watts for the low frequency response. The result of this more balanced audio from the LSR 308 but more bass allocation for the HS8 Studio Monitor.
In sum, our experts suggest the HS8 for those who like a heavy low end-focused sound and the LSR308 for a more balanced sound overall.
Enclosure
Both the speakers feature a low resonance enclosure. This means there is a decrease in resonance and can therefore produce a more accurate soundstage. Such an enclosure will make sure you get to enjoy your favorite music with really no distortion at all.
Controls of JBL LSR308 and Yamaha HS8
Both of the speakers are highly controllable. Let’s start with the JBL LSR 308. Other than the basic volume controls, you can also input the high and low frequencies and adjust the input sensitivity. For the HS8, our team believes they allow for more customization of sound with the EQ controls, room control, level control and high trim switch control.
As you can see, compared to the JBL LSR308 vs HS8, the latter has more versatility with its controls such as high trim switch and room control.
Connectivity
Both of these speakers come with an amp, which means you won’t have to mix and match different components the way you would for passive speakers. For the connection options, they both feature XLR and TRS. The JBL LSR308 has a balanced XLR port and balanced TRS input. The same balanced XLR and balanced TRS inputs can be found on the HS8 Studio Monitors as well.
Balanced XLR inputs are suggested by our experts in speakers because of the sound quality they produce. They have a lower signal to noise ratio, which means you will get much clearer sound. Since both the speakers have XLR and TRS inputs[1], there is no clear winner in this part of our comparison.
(If you want to improve the connectivity of your JBL wireless speakers, here are the steps to follow when pairing JBL speakers to Bluetooth enabled devices)
Price: JBL LSR308 and Yamaha HS8
In the category of price, there is almost no comparison between the JBL LSR 308 and Yamaha HS8 speakers. The JBL is the more affordable option; and as the more budget-friendly choice, it’s suited for beginners and professionals that want to have a good quality speaker for their home studio without breaking the bank.
While the HS8 comes at a higher price, it is very balanced and always gives a reliable performance whether it’s for music or movies. But when it comes down to the quality of the tweeter, woofer and enclosure, our experts say the HS8 is very fairly priced. With this speaker you would get very good features that can produce excellent sound for your studio.
Also keep in mind that the price listed is for a single speaker. You will have to multiply the price by 2 to get the number you might be paying to outfit your room. Our team does not suggest you mix a speaker with another brand, so we advise you to buy a pair.
We understand that two monitors can really set you back, but the end result is well worth it.
JBL LSR308 and Yamaha HS8 Warranty
Our experts cannot stress enough the importance of having good buyer’s protection. In the case of these speakers, a good buyer’s protection means a lengthy warranty. For the JBL LSR 308, you have a one year extended warranty. If you purchase the HS8 for your music, the warranty is also one year long.
In the comparison of the warranty, there is also no clear winner as both the HS8 Studio Monitor and the LSR 308 offer the same.
Overall Winner: Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitor
There is a very clear winner for our Yamaha HS8 vs JBL LSR 308 comparison, with the Yamaha HS8 taking the crown. These speakers are made of very high quality materials and come in two different colors to match your room setup. You would get better sound than the JBL with the wider frequency range featured in the Studio Monitor, but it’s also excellent for bass reflex.
For those who like punchier low frequencies, the Yamaha HS Series Studio Monitor is the best choice. The Studio Monitors are larger in size, but they can be mounted on the wall to keep out of your way and offer more versatility than the competition.
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